The following is an email from John Binns of the IRCF. Please
anyone, help if you are able.
If you wish to donate to this very real cause...please email John
and put I WILL HELP in the subject line.
(I am still working on many things for this and the alternate
websites--please be patient as I am relocating at this time)

John's email is:
JBinns@...

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Jamaica, September 10th

Jamaica was hit with monstrous waves, driving rain and winds nearing
155mph with a death toll of at least five people, bring the latest
death toll in the Caribbean to 50. The last communications from Rick
van Veen after coming down from Hellshire Hills, was yesterday as he
prepared for the hurricane to hit.


Grand Cayman, September 11th

Hurricane Ivan now appears it will hit Grand Cayman head-on at about
8am tomorrow morning.

Fred and a small group of volunteers have secured the Blue iguana
facility to the best of their means. The new hatchlings and iguanas
under care at Fred's residence have been moved indoors.
Unfortunately, Fred's residence is without storm shutters and is
constructed of a material that prevents the boarding up windows.
Shattered windows and water in the house is probable and of course
there is concern the roof hold. Fred's only alternative is to
applying duct-tape to all the windows to minimize glass debris and
packing sensitive equipment in plastic bags to minimize loss. North
Sound tends to come up and overflow in the direction of Fred's
residence with north hurricane winds.

It is impossible to estimate the potential damage to the Blue iguana
facility, located in an open area surrounded by a cement wall.
Damage is expected. The new cages are exposed to flying objects and
subject to sever damage by excessive winds. Fred's confidence
level
about iguana safety is good but of course there is serious concern.

Early this week and prior to the latest hurricane development, Fred
made an emergency call to the IRCF asking for assistance to
temporarily cover keeper duties at the facility, allowing the
scheduled release of 25 animals in the Salina Reserve to continue
uninterrupted. Responding to the call, Sandy and I will be arriving
in Grand Cayman on the first plane in after the hurricane,
tentatively this Monday at noon. The IRCF does not have the funds to
cover this critical event, so we're funding this out-of-pocket
and
like all emergencies, it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Given
the latest turn of events, the release in the Salina Reserve is now
in question and it is unknown what damage control will be required
when we arrive. We've been advised to bring flashlights and some
food provisions.

Power and cell phone services to the island will be brought down
just prior to the hurricane's arrival. The local hardware stores
are
already sold out of plywood and other common construction material.

What was to have been an upbeat event, the new Blue Iguana website
will be brought on-line sometime tonight ( www.BlueIguana.ky ). For
those unfamiliar with the latest renovation of the facility by Team
Blue in August, photographs of the effort are available in the News
section.

Though I know many of you have donated to the program, I ask that
you again consider assisting in this time of need. As you all know,
the program runs on a shoestring and there are no funds available to
repair the slightest amount of damage. Donations can be made on-line
or you can contact me directly.

Fred is going to need everyone's help.

Since communications from Grand Cayman will likely be disrupted,
I'm
in the process of trying to obtain a Sat phone to keep everyone
posted on events. We will be leaving San Francisco airport tomorrow
evening.


Sincerely,

John